Xenons not washing

[euan]

I had suspected this was happening the other day, but whilst driving on the motorway I pulled to wash my screen. I had also just put my lights on, so the xenon washers came on as well. Except I heard a wierd noise, which I have now worked out to be the motors that put the xenons washers as I had that noise then the spray. Except the washer units were still inside the bodywork. So all I got was steam coming out of the engine bay as the water evaporated. It sounds like the motors were trying to pop out but something was stopping them, but a quick look and all seemed ok.

Anybody else come across this? This is not the best time of year to be without the headlamp washers!

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by euan

I had suspected this was happening the other day, but whilst driving on the motorway I pulled to wash my screen. I had also just put my lights on, so the xenon washers came on as well. Except I heard a wierd noise, which I have now worked out to be the motors that put the xenons washers as I had that noise then the spray. Except the washer units were still inside the bodywork. So all I got was steam coming out of the engine bay as the water evaporated. It sounds like the motors were trying to pop out but something was stopping them, but a quick look and all seemed ok.

Anybody else come across this? This is not the best time of year to be without the headlamp washers!

Are you sure that the washer resovoir is full?? Might be worth checking that. There are two, one on each side of the car. The xenon res is on the left had side of my car.

The standard procedure is...

turn your headlights on.
Wash windscreen untill all is go

Steve

[euan]

Cheers samos, I didn't know about the two reservoirs, but I think the noise was from the motors and not the jets. Plus, the steam from the engine bay just after it should have cleared the lights makes me think it's something else.

[Paul]

The jets only extend because of the water pressure, if there's no, or not enough, water pressure from an empty resovoir they wont extend and spray as they should.

[swamos]

Did you check to see if there was water in the res?? It's pretty pointless continuing until you've checked the basics.

[euan]

Ah, that makes more sense :-) I'll check that when I get back to the car tomorrow. Will let you know, but if thats all it was then it's saved me a trip to the dealer! However I'll need to wash the car myself if the dealer isn't doing it :-)

[s_and_m]

Slightly different issue for me on the 2005 lamps.

The water lances extend and spray water happily enough, but then they stay stuck right out. Am a bit worried that some chav will try and play wuth them

They eventually retract (usually overnight) - anyone got any ideas?

cheers

S

[StevePSB]

I'd be straight to my dealer .They should take a second or two to retract, not a night!

[s_and_m]

Quote: Originally Posted by StevePSB

I'd be straight to my dealer .They should take a second or two to retract, not a night!

My old Cooper had xenons and the washers were in and out like a thing that goes in and out really well.

Guess I'll be heading off to the dealers this weekend then

S

[s_and_m]

Not even 2 weeks old and already going back to the dealer!

Hopefully the headlamp washers can be made to retract properly, and even more hopefully they will be able to sort the problem out in a day!

S